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Climate Activists v. the U.S. Energy Industry: Cases to Watch in 2026

On Jan. 12, 2026, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in Plaquemines Parish v. Chevron USA Inc., elevating the case's national stakes.
After years of filings, climate-focused public-nuisance suits have proliferated in state courts, with the City of Boulder and Boulder County suing energy firms for alleged misleading conduct contributing to local climate effects.
Federal-Preemption and permit defenses shape the litigation strategy as Suncor Energy lawyers argue the Clean Air Act preempts state claims, while Chevron sought but the U.S. Supreme Court declined to rule on merits.
A Plaquemines Parish jury awarded $744 million against Chevron USA Inc. for coastal-wetlands harm, with environmental activists celebrating and the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry warning of job losses.
Political and ideological objections now factor heavily into how the cases proceed, with critics including O.H. Skinner saying the litigation seeks large settlements and threatens U.S. energy independence.

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Center

Climate activists v. the U.S. energy industry: Cases to watch in 2026

(The Center Square) – Anti-oil and gas advocates across the country have pursued litigation in recent years attempting to force the fossil fuel industry to pay for decades of financial damages the advocates claim were caused by climate change.

2 days ago

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Spiegel

Lean Left

(S+) Climate Change: "I Expect States to File Claims for Damages"

Can climate protection be enforced in court? Jurist Jannika Jahn explains why activists are increasingly choosing the legal path, which procedures are successful and which ones are not.

2 days ago·Germany

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